Pregnenolone
Master steroid hormone — synthesized from cholesterol; precursor to DHEA, progesterone, cortisol, estradiol, testosterone. Also acts as a neurosteroid: modulates NMDA + GABA-A receptors in CNS.
How it clearsHalf cleared in ~9h. Most (~96%) gone by ~2d.
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Mechanism, evidence, legal path, cost — all side-by-side.
OTC supplement (DSHEA). Memory + cognitive-enhancement claims rest on small RCTs (Vallée 2014, Marx 2009 in schizophrenia) + extensive preclinical neurosteroid literature. Adrenal-fatigue/HRT-bridge cohort uses pregnenolone as a 'gentler' upstream alternative to direct DHEA or hydrocortisone. Effect is bidirectional — can lower OR raise cortisol depending on starting state, which complicates dosing for cohort users without baseline labs.
Bidirectional cortisol effect — without baseline labs, you can't predict whether your dose will calm or activate. Estrogen + progesterone downstream conversion makes this contraindicated in estrogen-sensitive cancer history. Quality varies on OTC supplements. WADA-banned for athletes.
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Upload in /historyPer-claim grading. Each claim is graded independently — same peptide, different claims can carry different grades.
- CLimited evidence
Improves memory or cognition in healthy adults.
1 supporting referencesVerified today - BModerate evidence
Improves negative + cognitive symptoms when used as adjunct in schizophrenia.
1 supporting referencesVerified today
External links to PubMed searches, ClinicalTrials.gov, and FDA materials. We do not host papers — we point at canonical sources.
OTC supplement (US, DSHEA) · banned by WADA · prescription in some EU countries
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Next visit & citations
Handoff & sources
Running this compound? Log it in /history, then open Dr Passport before your visit. Methodology explains grades; the research dashboard sorts the full catalog with citations.